Best-matching protocols for assembly in e-work networks

Assembly networks pose many challenges to the comprising businesses due to their ever-growing distributed nature. This article explores the benefits of incorporating best-matching protocols (BMP) into the principles of design for assembly (DFA) to make better use of already existing information on equipment, parts and suppliers. Best-matching protocols for cooperation requirement planning (BMP-CRP), for part matching (BMP-part) and supplier selection were developed. A case study for the matching of parts and suppliers is provided. The results of the case study corroborate the benefits in quality and costs that the best-matching protocols can yield for businesses in an assembly e-work network.